Natalie Barnes is the owner of the Gray Whale Inn, a charming bed and breakfast on Cranberry Island. The Inn is run by Natalie and her niece Gwen. After a rocky break up from her ex fiancé, Natalie moved from Texas to live in Maine on Cranberry Island. She was looking to start her own bed and breakfast and live a happier, quieter, more peaceful way of life. The island only consists of a small number of people, and everyone knows their neighbors.

When Natalie's housekeeper Polly doesn't show up for work, Natalie goes to her house to see if everything is ok. Among the cranberry bog, Polly is found dead with a gun in her hand. It looks like suicide and after a call to the police that is the definitive theory. Natalie knows Polly and doesn't believe she killed herself. The local police have a history of being wrong about cases before, so Natalie takes it upon herself to investigate Polly's murder.

While looking into the murder, Natalie still has a bed and breakfast to run. The current house guests are an eccentric bunch. Candy Perkins, a woman with aspirations to open her own bed and breakfast, is constantly following Natalie around and asking her questions to the point of annoyance. Between Candy's provocative clothes and sexy body, she is everything a man would fall for. When Benjamin Portlock, ex fiancé to Natalie, comes to town to stay at the inn, he upsets Natalie's everyday routine, not to mention her relationship with her boyfriend! When Candy and Benjamin start going on outings together, will Natalie's feelings be hurt or will she realize her current boyfriend on the island is the right man for her?

Before Natalie can figure out the truth about Polly, another islander is found dead. Natalie's best friend Charlene is the prime suspect in the murder. Who is killing the people of Cranberry Island? Will Natalie be able to solve the mystery before the killer catches up with her and tries to end her investigation?

I adored, devoured, and loved reading DEAD AND BERRIED! Everything is described so vividly and beautifully that I can actually taste the banana bread, feel the cool breeze and hear the leaves blowing in the wind. The imagery is written so well that it makes the book that much more enjoyable. I felt like I was off on an island experiencing everything right along side the characters.

Karen MacInerney has written a delicious culinary mystery that will leave the reader wishing there was a Gray Whale Inn and a Cranberry Island to vacation at. Read this scrumptious, delectable, mystery and you will be left with a smile and some fabulous new recipes!